Ms. Richardson
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Homeland
Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide guidance
and coordination for mass fatality planning, and for other
purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the
Mass Fatality Planning and Religious
Considerations Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Emergency preparedness often plans for how
to prepare and provide for survivors of a natural disaster, act of terrorism,
or other man-made disaster, but fails to plan for how to prepare for and
respond to mass fatalities that result from such an incident.

(2)

Funeral homes, cemeteries, and mortuaries
could be overwhelmed should mass fatalities arise from a natural disaster, act
of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(3)

Different religions have different customs
surrounding death; for example, the Jewish and Muslim religions call for burial
of the deceased not later than 48 hours after death.

3.

Preparedness for
mass fatalities resulting from a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other
man-made disaster

Section 504
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 314) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:

(c)

Preparedness for
mass fatalities

In carrying
out this section, the Administrator shall provide guidance to and coordinate
with appropriate individuals, including representatives from different
communities, private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, and religious
organizations, to prepare for and respond to a natural disaster, act of
terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in mass fatalities.